Key Highlights
- Rachel Slater believes the inaugural Emerging Nations Trophy will provide a massive boost for Scotland as they attempt to qualify for next year’s T20 World Cup in England.
- The competition is part of preparation for January’s T20 World Cup qualifier in Nepal, offering associate teams like Scotland more consistent cricket.
- Slater highlights the drop-off between full members and associates due to fewer opportunities for fixtures.
- The Emerging Nations Trophy will provide a chance for Scotland players to stay connected and maintain their competitive edge during long gaps between fixtures.
The Importance of Consistent Cricket for Associate Teams
Rachel Slater, the seam bowler for Scotland’s national cricket team, is excited about the inaugural Emerging Nations Trophy. This tournament, set to begin in Thailand on Thursday, is part of a series of events designed to prepare associate teams like Scotland for the T20 World Cup qualifier in Nepal next year. For Slater and her teammates, this competition represents a significant opportunity to play more international cricket.
Slater notes that playing more cricket consistently is crucial for the team’s performance. “It’s really exciting,” she says. “Usually we go away for a few weeks or a month and then you don’t see each other for seven, eight, nine months. So it’s really nice going into this winter knowing we’ll have consistent cricket building into the World Cup qualifiers.” This regular play is important because it allows players to maintain their form and stay connected as a team.
Challenges Faced by Associate Teams
The gap between full member nations, like those from Test cricket, and associate teams is significant. Full members have a full 12-month calendar of fixtures and training, while associate teams like Scotland struggle to find the same level of opportunities. Slater elaborates on this challenge: “A massive thing with the drop off from the full members to associates with less opportunities is the amount of fixtures we play.” This lack of regular matches makes it difficult for associate teams to compete at the same level as their full member counterparts.
Despite these challenges, Scotland has shown its potential.
The team recently beat Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Namibia in warm-up matches before the Emerging Nations Trophy. Slater was player of the match in two of those victories, highlighting her individual contributions to the team’s success. “The fact we’re able to do that with limited opportunities and resources says a lot about the group we’ve got,” she adds.
Preparation for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers
The Emerging Nations Trophy is not just an exciting opportunity; it also serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Nepal. Slater believes that this tournament will be beneficial for Scotland, providing a consistent cricket calendar leading up to the qualifier. “Knowing that you’ve consistently got cricket to look forward to is massive and adds a bit more purpose to training,” she says.
The team’s upcoming matches against Uganda, Tanzania, UAE, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, and Thailand will be crucial in building their confidence and readiness for the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Fantasy football also helps keep the competitive edge among the Scotland squad going during the long gaps between fixtures as players fight to top their private league.
As the Emerging Nations Trophy gets underway, the Scottish cricket team is eager to make the most of this opportunity. With consistent play and the support of their fans, they hope to continue their strong performance in international cricket.
